Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-03-04
DAKO1A'S WISE men.
What They Are Accomplishing From
Week to Week in Their Coun-
ellis at Bismarck.
The Lonely Lobby-An Important Bill
From the Department Of Pub.
lie Instruction.

not the best, that ever met in Dakota be-
comes every day more apparent as the ses-
sion progresses. Exaggerated reports
have been sent out as to the size and
quality Of the lobby. The truth is, at no
time, during the session, thus far, has
there been to exceed a couple of dozen pro-
fessional lobblest OH hand. True there
are certain men in attendance on the Leg
%islature. who have matters of interest af-
feeling their sections, but there is abso-
lu;ely uoue OF that disgraceful intriguing
which has heretofore been so freely charged
10 Dakota Legislatures.
Already it is plain the Legislature is try
| ing 10 do too much. Bis bave been ln-
uoIuced upon almost every conceivable
subject, and i'll some cases three or four of
| II kind. with little valeat ops. The attempt
o overdo is the one thing that impedes
useful legislation. The Territorial
superintendent has prepared an ex-
austive school bill which covers
ninety-n;ne paaes Of bill paper. 1t WIS
introduced by Councilman Bosart, Of Bon
Hommc, who will have to do some heavy
| gladiator work to secure lis final passage.
his bill is one OF the most important yet
introduced, because it completely super
sedes the present law i'll almost every es-
%sential. which naturally effects the whole
Territory materially. 1t appears to be the
rafiriug Supeliu:cndent's aim to give Da-
po!a a common school system, which, if
adopted III its entirety, woull place the
schools Of the Territory upon a footing
second to noEe n the Union. One feature
of this far-reaching measure is the crea-
lIon of n Territorial board OF four men,
with salaries at 81 ,0G0 each, and necessary
travelling expenses, the board to select II
clerk, having q salary of $3.50 n year.
This board to hav power to issue certiti-
Gates to teachers cool for ten and five
Years, uni. SIS sooner revoked.
Much seems to have ben expected of
the present Assembly in the direction of
railroad control. 1t is perhaps too soon 10
say this expectation is not likely to be
rralized. A number of bills have been in
troduced, but so far they have not Jared
well in the hands of the committees. The
Elliott bill. which gives the Railroad Com
missioners power to fix the maximum rates,
was smothered in the committee until Mr..
Elliott had the House call it up. 1t is be-
ing holly contested, md, if straws show
which way the wind Llows, it will be de-
feated.
For some days q new revenue bill has
been engaging the Council. 1t is Il fairly
good measure. but is raising a hurricane in
the Council that forebodes disaster. This
bill contemplates a thorough revision of
the present assessment law, taxes mort
cages and every form of credits, willie il
deducts all forms of indebtedness from
assessed valuations.
The present assembly is unquestionably
q temperance body, and the House leads
the Council in the matter of being radical.
There is also a spirit Of gallantry in the
House, and, if that lody is not ballasted
by the Council, woman suffrage is quite
likely TO be added to the privileges enjoyed
by the ladies of Dakota. Both temper
ance and woman suttrags have a strong
champ on in the member from Sully
County, j. NJ. Moore, a man in his 73d
year. He is a fluent DICTATOR, with a rich
wen of humor, but in all things serious and
honest. 1t is worthy of emark that the
local option bill found no organized op-
position, nor did there seem to be any dis.
agreement upon it as to locality; the South
the North and the Black Hills in botl
houses gave the measure a cordial support,
Ibis act is practically the Iowa prohibitory
law, with a local option attachment, and ii
the report of members is reliable, full
sixty of the eighty four organized counties
will be sure to adopt it.
One of the most spirited debates of the
session turned upon the Mitchell Yanktou
court house bill. 1t is currently reported
that this bill is a pivotal measure, amt tina,
tue champions of each side of the contro
versy hinge their, every act upon the prob.
able effect it may have upon the renloya
question. SO current has been the rumo,
as to low this vexed question was affecting
all others that some half-dozen gentlemen
from their seats in the Council, openly
stated that SO far rs they were concerned j
in no manner affected them. This did no
prevent Councilman Cain, of Huron, from
boldly saying it was the Devil-fsh of tn.
present session and had fastened its tenta.
Giles upon every bill great or small. rhi:
view is shared by the public generally. A.
to the final outcome, 1t now looks as i
Mitchell would carry the House by a small
majority, but Yankton seems to have So
hand or the Council.
The creation of several new Offices Will
good fees and salaries is in contemplation
Among these is an inspector Of coal oil
WHO is TO have 20 cents for each barrel in.
spected. 1t is estimated that this will DIV,
a berth worth $4,000 to some one. nn5
the Republican Council passed the biI
leaving Il u mocratic Governor TO appoin
the lucky mum should the House also pas.
it. A fish Inspector. a public ex
:tminer of accounts, a Territoria
veterinary, and an education boari
re some Of the proposed fat pirkings 70
the faithful. On the other hand, an econ
,omical lawmaker is urging the abolition o
the Office OF Immigration Commission
end that of Railway Commissioner. TAX
ing into consideration the genial warmth
of Dakota blood, the chances are largely il
favor of creation rather than abolition.
HE seed wheat bill is one that provoke,
some feelin!. 1t appropriates S15O, 900 Il
huy ssed grain for distressed farmers. an,
another to create a frs, lien upon CROWN
crops for the payment Of seed furnished
Inns latter passed both houses. and is de
signed 10 secure the Northern Pacific nm,
the Mnn toba Railway Companies. IN
former agrees to supply S1n0, 900 worth O
se"d, md the latter, it is said, will furnis
llk' aid. Strange as it may seem. In
strongest opposition in the Council TO IN
measure Came from three farmer members
lhelr man Obj c:ion was to II provision
providing a p n:lty of $500 tine and 81
mont S Imprisonment for the purchase
who ~frauduiently obtained such seed.
The talk about ill-feeling between Nort)
and South Dakota needs to look elsewber
than the PIT Sent Assembly for conti,ma
ton. II such feeling exists, the member
l h.Vl n in -av.,01.rJ .~.k.l